[Effect of preoperative Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 combined with hematologic inflammatory markers on prognosis of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate preoperative nutritional status and inflammatory status by Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002) and hematologic inflammatory markers in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and to explore their effects on long-term survival prognosis. Methods: A total of 113 patients with thoracic ESCC treated by radical resection were grouped for further analysis according to preoperative NRS-2002 score, systemic inflammation score (SIS) and the combination of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (CNP) score. The progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between groups were compared. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine the independent prognostic factors of patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and the interaction analysis of statistically significant factors was carried out. Results: The median PFS was 21 months for all the patients. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year PFS rates were 69.0%, 25.7% and 23.1%, respectively. Correspondingly, the median OS was 36 months, and the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year OS rates were 95.6%, 46.2% and 29.2%, respectively. Cox univariate analysis showed that T stage, N stage, TNM stage, SIS, CNP score and NRS-2002 score were significantly associated with PFS and OS (all P<0.05), and sex was associated with PFS (P=0.032) in patients with thoracic ESCC. Furthermore, cox multivariate analysis showed that TNM stage (HR=1.570, P=0.039), NRS-2002 score (HR=2.706, P<0.001) and CNP score (HR=1.463, P=0.011) were independent prognosis factors of PFS in patients with thoracic ESCC. In cox model interaction analysis, there was a positive interaction between NRS-2002 score and CNP score (RR=2.789, P<0.001). Conclusion: Preoperative NRS-2002 score combined with CNP score are risk factors for prognosis of patients with thoracic ESCC, which can be used as prognostic indicators.

[Rhinoscleroma affects the nasal cavity and sinuses:a report of 2 cases and literature review].

The paranasal sinuses are usually free of rhinoscleroma, and typical symptoms can be lack when the disease affects the nasal cavity and sinuses. It easily leads to misdiagnosis. Here, we reported two case of rhinoscleroma with involvement of sinus. Pathological examination revealed that infiltrated Mikulicz cells, which surrounded by a large number of plasma cells and lymphocytes. MRI and CT scan revealed a large mass in nasal cavity and sinuses.Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis was found in nasal secretions. Treatment with ciprofloxacin is an effective method for rhinoscleroma.

Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene on shelf life, visual quality and nutritional quality of netted melon.

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on shelf life, fruit visual quality and nutritional quality were investigated. Netted melons were treated with air (control) and 0.6 µl l(-1) 1-MCP at 25 ℃ for 24 h, and then stored at 25 ℃ or 10 ℃ for 10 days. 1-MCP significantly extended the shelf life, inhibited weight loss and delayed firmness decline of melon fruits. Ethylene production was also inhibited and respiration rate was declined. 1-MCP retarded 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) increases and inhibited ACC synthase and ACC oxidase activity. Moreover, 1-MCP treatment reduced the decrease in total soluble solids and titratable acidity, as well as the decrease of the content of sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose). These results indicated that 1-MCP treatment is a good method to extend melon shelf life and maintain fruit quality, and the combination of 1-MCP and low temperature storage resulted in more acceptable fruit quality.

Relationship between psychosocial factors and onset of multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of psychosocial variables on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the relationship between these variables and the onset of MS. BACKGROUND: The current evidence indicates that many types of psychosocial factors are involved in the development and relapse of MS, and it has been suggested that they could serve as predictors as well. So far, little has been reported on the effect of psychosocial factors on MS and the relationship between psychosocial factors and the onset of MS. METHODS: Forty-one patients, 15 males and 26 females, average age 37.44 +/- 12.24 years (mean +/- SD), were evaluated by the Life Event Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Social Support Revaluate Scale and Symptom Check List 90 and compared with 41 equivalent healthy control subjects, 15 males and 26 females, average age 36.38 +/- 12.84 years (mean +/- SD). Disease, demographic, psychosocial and lifestyle factors were measured at baseline. Patients with MS were first diagnosed by 3 neurologists according to the Poser (1983) MS diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the MS and the control group in their negative emotions and symptoms such as depression, anxiety, obsession, phobia, tense interpersonal relationship and somatization disorder. Significant differences were found between the two groups in the total number of negative life events, their family problems and the utilization of social support. The scores for various negative emotions in the MS group correlated positively with those for neuroticisms in personality type, and negatively with those for introverted and extroverted personality. Many kinds of negative emotions in the MS group correlated positively with the total number of life events, negative life events and family problems. Many kinds of negative emotions in the MS group correlated negatively with the utilization of social support. CONCLUSION: The psychosocial factors are closely associated with MS onset and may play important roles in the development of the disease.